Jesus meets the leper along the way...He listens to the latter's request...He cleanses and heals him totally and reinstates him within the community that had hitherto cast him aside.

This is the Lord's way of proclaiming the Kingdom and actualising the reign of God, where all of humanity is embraced more especially the outcasts in society.

God's coming on earth, which we have just celebrated in the Christmas season, has broken down barriers and walls of separation in our community and society as well as in our family. The Incarnation has brought about fellowship and integration of persons in every area of life.

As we continue the ministry of the Lord we too are called to this urgent task of rebuilding, refounding, rekindling and recreating relationships in all that we set out to do. Religious and national integration is an insistent call towards wholeness and holiness. O that today we would listen to the Lord's voice calling us to be family, to be community! Keeping that first call from our Living God at our baptism, ever before our eyes each day, inspite of our difficulties, would mean we are in partnership with Christ till our last breath.